Dirt and water seal for journal boxes



June 14, 1960 w. J. SAVAGE EI'AL ,94

DIRT AND WATER SEAL FOR JOURNAL BOXES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 19, 1957 FIG. 3.

INVENTORS William John Savage Robert James Savage 3% M KM ATTORNEYS June 14, 1960 w. J. SAVAGE ETAL 2,940,801

DIRT AND WATER SEAL FOR JOURNAL BOXES Filed June 19, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS William John Savage Robert James Savage ATTORNEYS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 slQ/ 1 FIG. 7.

FIG. 6.

June 14, 1960 7 Filed June 19, 1957 INVENTORS William John Savage Roberf'James Savage M ;$,M ATTORNEYS Patiited June 14, 1960 United States. Patent Ofifice 2,940,801 DIRT AND WATER SEAL FOR JOURNAL Boxns Filed June 19, 1957, Ser No. 666,579 9 Claims. c1. ans-s3 This invention relates to a dirt and water seal for journal boxes.

A problem that has never been satisfactorily overcome is that of preventing dirt and water from getting into contact with the journals. The attendant increase in wear to hot box incidents has plagued the railroads for many years. Usually the journal boxes are provided with covers for inspection and oiling but thesecovers also provide means of access for the dirt and moisture into the boxes. Further, there is condensation which occurs in the boxes which introduces water. In addition the axle extends out through the inner side of the journal box and this provides a means for the entrance of the water and the dirt. 1

Over the years many different types of bearing in closures have been suggested to be used inside the boxes as a means for segregating the dirt and water from oil so that the bearings will be lubricated by the oil but will not come in contact with the dirt and water. These involve many different concepts. Examples of such prior proposed constructions are shown in via." Patents No. 2,661,255 and No. 1,510,377.

All prior suggestions embody the use of rigid nonflexible means of inclosure for the journals and shafts. This creates problems in itself and in addition increases considerably the cost and complexity of the journal constructions. Also these prior proposed constructions often hinder inspections and replacement of the 'orasses. Accordingly an object of my invention is to provide a bear ing dirt and water seal which is not costly, which will nonetheless effectively perform the function of sealing the bearings from dirt and water and yet which will also make it possible to readily inspect the journal and install chips and brasses if necessary.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bearing dirt and water seal construction which remains flexible and which accordingly will conform to movements ofthe axle with respect to the box without strain or breakage and which also will not damage the axle in any way.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dirt and water seal construction which will completely and efl'ectively seal the journal from dirt and water and yet in which readily and easily inspection removal of the elements is possible.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a seal as set forth above wherein an effective inner sealing relationship with respect to the axle is provided so that Water and dirt cannot enter along the axle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a journal seal which can be readily removed or reinserted into the journal box. i

Still another object of the invention is to provide a journal seal which can be inserted in the boxes without modification of the boxes.

One object of the invention is to one-piece journal seal construction of a resilient and flexible character which will conform to the :movements of the elements within the journal box.

provide a seamless A still further object of the invention is to provide a journal seal construction of resilient flexible material which is of adequate strength and rigidity for the purposes.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a bearing seal with means for mounting and supporting a bearing lubricant pack in proper relationship with the bearing which is completely resilient and flexible. An additional object of the invention is to provide a bearing seal having an inneroil seal ring for cooperation with the axle and rib means adapted to maintain a journal pack in place which also functions with means for properly maintaining the position of the oil seal on the axle.

One other object of the invention is -to provide a removable one-piece resilient flexible oil and water seal construction having integral means for maintaining the seal in fixed relationship above the bottom of the journal box.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a bearing seal as set forth above having an inspection cover which is accessible upon opening of the journal box cover and which cover can be displaced through deformation of the seal to permit the introduction of oil or for inspection purposes and which further embodies construction such that it can be readily deformed to admit of the inspection or replacement of brasses.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a resilient, deformable and flexible oil seal including means for supporting such seal in spaced relationship to the bottom of the journal box which provides uniform pressure against the oil pack.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means for supporting the seal within journal boxes which is adaptable to varied types of journal boxes.

One other object of the invention is to provide a flexibledeformable seal which will move with the movement of the journal thereby reducing wear on the seal and making it unnecessary to replace the seals at very frequent intervals.

'These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a journal box illustrating a seal constructed in accordance with the invention mounted in the box.

Figure 2 is a view similar to 'Figure l but showing the manner in which the face or front of the seal can be deformed for inspection of the journal.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary rear perspective view illus-' trating the seal ring in cooperation with the journal shaft.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a seal constructed in accordance with the invention taken from the front end of the seal. Figure 5 is a similar perspective view but taken from the rear end of the seal of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevational view illustrating a seal constructed in accordance with .the invention and sup ported in a journal box.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of Figure 6.

Referring now in particular to the drawings: The seal 10 comprises an oil pack pan 12, side forming members 14 and 16, and end members 18 and 20 extending upwardly from the pan 12. The end member 20 con: stitutes the front end of the seal. The end member 20 is formed of two portions 22 and 24 setat an acute angle with respect to each other and conforming to the merges into the opening 28 which is normally closed by, the cover 30. The sides 14 and 16 are provided witli cover as in- Lecess es Z32 and :34, respectively, containinen .the ,U:bOlt

The side members are also o er-tis'united to thefront upper pan 1 22.

V abuts .against the 'rear of the journal/box. can then be inserted and the box lowered onto the axle. v The oil pack '54 is placed in position beneath the ribs" inturn bears uniformly against the-ax le..

' A area 7 cut out above said recesses to accommodate the inwardly extending rib provided in m prise mem er? te m integ al y wi h. theiirent panel. 22.

he p ni -.3 pro de in theif ont pan l behin Th c v r ompr s s a ppe 40. whic the; over.

iects h 'fiover -f el a'purpose b ehe re- .aftersdescribed. a s

Cover 36 is formed so as to normally extend A1 knob 42 prowhich are adapted to, recessesiin the journal .box.;

the .factlhatthenlater and. dirt seal is completely iiexihle and can follow the movements of the axle without damage and without loss of sealing function. Thus the felt ring, can move with the axle and'still maintain a tight seal. In all heretofore known, seals this could not {occur and as a result the seals were not etfective and soon were 'a sourcesof trouble.

l 12 :a ln r i a vantageof :ihe'

vention due to the resilient nature of thecovef 3 6is that' a perfect seal can be achieved, andyet 'with'ont relatively. piyotally connected or 'disconnectable elements The rear end member 18 is providedwith dens 44 x ing a ly u a y of t e ea member. This flange is formed integrally Wiil'l"t h; lmai d r f thes and t e lange i lu e a yl ndr a recess 46 within which is mounted afelt cylindrical .seal 48 s s V :"Tlhemi Pa p e m n s at-the s de mbe s the oil can be introduced and complete inspection-is *pos- Sibler a r a While we have; shown-and ,described, the preferred form'of our inventio'n,-- it will be understood by those whe ea there i prov d lon t d n l y exte d ribs 1 '50 and 52 .each of'which is broken at the recesses 34,

gl'hesegr'hs comprise resilient deformable m mbers which V are i tegral with the seal and nom nally tend to extend V downwardly alongside thelower oil pan. However, they se be de r to rec Q l Pa k m an an. as pack 54 therebetween and function to maintain the pack in position. The .seal is provided with flang s 56 adjacen e r h c o e he w ththe ib sti e the seal longitudinally and function as ameans to aslsistgin f1 YP QP P3ll Qgf th qyl nd n 4 a aassociated felt seal 48. The bottornofthe sealis prof 1 appended" claims, and we skilled'in the art that many changes in form and details of construction'can be made within the'scop'e of the claim an exclusive right to all changes,. modifications,- and'forms comingwithin the scope of the appended claims. 7

Weclaim: r V

,1. ,AQ Oil .Seal for journal boxes comprisi g an .oil

pack pan forming the baseof said seal,:a front side-ele- V 'ment and a rear side element extending upwardly rfrom said pan, other spaced sideelements connected to and extending laterally of the first mentioned side elements,

' sai :fwnt-side element having 'anrinspectionropening a yided with a series of peg like format o s Si -e en in 1' a having'a cylindrical flange, a cylindrical sealing member yertically downwardly therefrom toprovide -asubstantia1- ly uniform horizontally disposed plane of support for The seal can be inserted into ,the journal box by 7 raising the boxes in the usual manner to take the load ,oltlf the bearings, tion of the seal; end of the axle.

The seal--is simply inserted'over the The seal is. pushed inwardly until it The brass some 52; r

' v The upper front panel 22 ofithe seal will abut" against the rib 62 in the us'ual type of box encountered'onthe railroads. r a r a The knob 42' will be 'abutted by the tab 64 when we a closed position. When the cover .30 is closed and the seal 48 abutting against the -peri hery of the axle it; is

The pegs 5S maintain'the sealitself above The pegs also: as.-

removal of the brass and then inser- *cover means comprising an element integrally connected tosaid front side element. and normally in a position to close said opening in said front ;side element, said cover beingreadily displaceable through deformationof said seal to uncover said opening, the rear side element mounted within said flange and adapted'to sealingly con tact the; periphery of 'an axle, said .seal being formed completely of resilientiflexible readily deformable ma .said front side element having an: inspection opening, a

cover means comprising an cement integrally connected to said front'side element and normally in a position to close said opening in said front side element said cover being readily displaceable through deformation of said.

i 7 seal to uncover said opening, therear side element'hav cover 30 is closed. This Wlll maintain the cover 36 in ing a cylindrical flange, a cylindrical sealing member mounted within said flange and adapted to sealingly-contact the periphery of an axle, said seal being formed completely of resilient flexible readily deformable material, a pair of spaced ribs longitudinally positioned within said seal and extending along the lateral'edges of said sure a uniform pressure against the oil packso that it This Pegv construction'and the resilient- 'flexible construction of the seal enable the seal to conform to the iournal hox. The 'gealis firm as a unitary .molded element, and is entire? ly composed of a rubbery material or other materialhavw .ipg. the resilient flexible characteristics of rubbery ma:

tei'ials.

Essi lzi lu trate he po e: f th BOX opensposition and the use of an oil to ow-3 and n r duce o l nwth s l- Figure 2 illnstrates how the seal canbe deformed for A91 bftl e, b a and hip and r nlasementth e f.3.-. l! $i re s the rea t he wra th-the al nn i e and elting, ecure y c n ac ing the p n 1;:

:5 th axle. al 5.41451 illus ra e ai ei um the ea andtheswlinr s in h ourna pa ia 6 tive position of said rear si 7 remaining portions oi said seal.

oil pan, said ribs each'being in overlying relationship with said oil pan and normally positioned substantially bet ee i Pan'an aid. b

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said ribs extend to and abut against said rear side element and function as stiffening me ns niac l tating and m in aining the r l de element with respect tothe .4. An oil seal for a ournal box comprisingnn =oil pack panihaving a generally send-cylindrical concave interior, spaced end members extending upwardly from said pan, one ofsaid'end members having an inspection-open ing therein, means integrally connectedto said one'of said end members and normally closing said inspection 7 opening, the other of said end members having an openins therein for r eiving a 'axl pa d on Side members extending; upwardly from said oil pan forming member and extending laterally of the first mentioned end members and being connected thereto, support means extending downwardly beneath said oil pan forming member, each of said support means comprising a peg like formation and being spaced from the other of said support means, said support means presenting a substantially uniform plane of support for said oil seal pan, said seal being entirely formed of resilient flexible and readily deformable material.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said seal is formed of a rubbery material.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said oil seal includes an insert sealing ring in said other of said end members concentric of said opening in the latter, said sealing ring being adapted to sealingly bear against an axle received in the latter opening.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said sealing ring is formed of a felt-like material.

8. An oil seal for journal boxes comprising an oil pack pan forming the base of said seal, a front side element and a rear side element extending upwardly from said pan, other spaced side elements connected to and extending laterally of the first mentioned side elements, said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 606,686 Scrogin et al. July 5, 1898 2,191,468 Hennessy Feb. 27, 1940 2,534,045 Massy Dec. 12, 1950 2,670,998 Barber Mar. 2, 1954 2,683,065 Gillespie July 6, 1954 2,720,431 Browne et a1. Oct. 11, 1955 2,758,853 Beck Aug. 14, 1956 2,858,148 Klingler Oct. 28, 1958 

